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SCOTLAND YARD: Mens Open contender
photo: Jackie Oliver

With Cottenham hosting the CUDH meeting this weekend, East Anglia's Pub Team return to look over the card.

12 noon. Hunts Members - 7 Entries
The Club Members has only seven Entries. Keep The Dream Alive has only completed once in last seven runs when finishing last of four in Mens Opens at Higham. Punjabi Army was tailed off in a Maiden at Horseheath last week. Inchadoney Boy has not run for a while but was reasonably consistent. Cromaterie Run is a nine-year-old having first run but could win this; it is important who rides which Hill horse. Shannina has been really disappointing under Rules but would have to have a chance in this. Traditionalist does not appeal on what has been produced so far. Zahunda has been off the racecourse for a significant period of time and you would expect would need the run.
Selection: Shannina (Inchadaoney Boy) 

12.35 p.m. Intermediate - 16 Entries
Law Court seems to tick a number of boxes with a four length Restricted win at the January Cottenham meeting on dead ground beating Echo India, following a win in a rather poor Maiden at Higham in March '10. From the Southeast comes the rather unreliable Little Legend, who ran out at Godstone last season and was wearing cheek pieces when a 30 length third to Damman in a Club Members Conditions race at Larkhill in early Jan.

In the January Charing Club Members Man from Moscow ran second to Tommy Thunder, springing a 20-1 surprise by two lengths, where a weakening Captains Legacy pulled up at the last. Halcyon Times, from the Kemp yard, unseated at the second at Whitfield last Sunday having pulled up at Ampton in January and will probably need to complete a race to assess his form. Mountain Emperor, fourth by 10 lengths to Latenightdip in the January Higham Restricted will have come on for the run but was 35 lengths second to the progressive Paedarwho went on to beat the Nun's Legacy in the Intermediate at Kingston Blount 2010. Ski Dazzle, third by six lengths to the Nuns Legacy in the recent Higham Intermediate may run to a place. Mr Moneymatters unseated in his only run this season following a three length Restricted win at Peper Harow in May 2010.
Selection: Law Court (Man from Moscow)

1.10 p.m. Mens Open -15 Entries
Several of the leading contenders for this race hold alternative engagements, as well as their connections having other horses entered elsewhere. It is likely that this race could cut-up.

Cedrus Libani and Border Fusion are two such horses. Following his antics at the first Cottenham meeting, Cedrus Libani turned up at Ampton for the Mens Open; he started without any fuss, but failed to see out the trip and finished fifth behind Kornati Kid. Border Fusion is another horse who has created some difficulties at the start, but has been a classy individual in points and Hunter Chases. Last season, he failed to win a race, although he did finish second in a Hunter Chase at Bangor, which he had previously won for three consecutive years. Dead or Alive is also entered elsewhere, but if turning out would be a serious contender. The winner of two Points in 2009, he transferred to the professional ranks where he has won five times, the latest at Fakenham in May last year, and appears to act on any ground.

Caveman could make his first start of the season in this race; once again he performed with admirable consistency last year, only once being unplaced. King Harald has a win at the Cheltenham Festival to his name, but that was almost six years ago. That win promised a lot, but it failed to materialise at the highest level although he did win three more Chases, the latest in 2008. Since then his performances failed to muster a place; his first run in a Point was also an unplaced effort at Charing.

Five of the Entries ran at Higham two weeks ago. Blue Hills - unseated rider, Caulkin - pulled-up, Garundi - pulled-up, all failed to finish in the Mens Open, Caulkin performing the best of them, and he does have winning Hurdle form, although only at 2m4f. Pouilly finished second in the Novice Riders race to Ballybough Jack back in sixth. Locksmith finished third in the Mens Open at the last Cottenham meeting behind Posh Dude, but then ran poorly at Alnwick. Aughlea Bridge finished second to Denvale last week at Horseheath.
Selection: Dead or Alive (Cedrus Libani)

1.45 p.m. Ladies Open - 15 Entries
Kicks For Free has already won twice here this season. He really impressed on his first run travelling and jumping well and finishing comfortably ahead of Big Moment and Inaro; his next run was less convincing possibly because of the hold-up tactics employed and slower pace but he won easily enough and is likely to go off favourite.

Picaroon won three Chases for Tim Vaughan last season (Picaroon's Official Rating 138, Kicks For Free 139); now trained by Abbi Vaughan he impressed on his only Pointing run beating Surenaga and Shernally at Black Forest Lodge in a fast time and has every chance.

Scotland Yard is extremely effective over easy trips like this and looked back to his best when winning with Gina Andrews on board at Higham; he has a great turn of foot and could spring a surprise. Inaro finished eight lengths behind Kicks For Free here in December and then won comfortably at North Carlton after a smart ride by Bridget Andrews. He doesn't have the outright pace of the fastest horses so this track isn't ideal but he clearly has place chances.

Alphabetical won at Charing two weeks ago but the time was slow and we doubt he still has the speed to feature in this. King du Berlais ran consistently well last season and will have come on for his run at Higham; like Inaro he seems better suited by stiffer tests. Parrain was a classy performer under Rules in France but his best form was on soft-heavy ground. He made a great start to his Pointing career last year winning two Mens Opens (Higham & Fakenham) but is likely to need the race. Pass The Parsel was outpaced by Inaro at North Carlton and is likely to find others too good. Roaringwater has plenty of ability but rarely shows it. Stratford Stroller was a moderate performer for Jonjo O'Neill but this course should suit. Kicks For Free and Picaroon have entries elsewhere and we doubt both will appear here unless Eyton floods!
Selection: Scotland Yard (Kicks For Free)

2.20 p.m. Restricted - 12 Entries
A disappointingly small entry for this, with a few of the Entries having alternatives at other meetings. Battlefield Bob came home clear in a 2m4f Maiden at North Carlton; he may have been a touch fortunate however as a challenger came down at the third last and his nearest pursuer was badly hampered by a loose horse at the second last. He began his Pointing career here when he came down four out when in with every chance in a race that was won by fellow entrant Nothingtloose.

Battlefield Bob then turned his attentions to NH  Rules and was placed in Novice Chases; he still has questions to answer as regards stamina to get the full trip. Nothingto Loose who took advantage of a huge weight allowances to make a winning debut as a four-year-old in the above mentioned course Maiden (2m4f). She then changed hands at the sales and cut no ice for new connections in two starts last season; it's too soon to be writing her off just yet.

Mountain Emperor's only win was over course and distance and he has been placed in this grade on numerous occasions since. He finished in front of Bendecido and Castleconnor Lad (pulled up) at the North Norfolk meeting; he is, however, a notoriously weak finisher and you can't guarantee he will confirm that form. Bendecido had scored in a weak 2m4f Maiden here before Christmas; he ran a fair enough race in his first effort in this grade at Higham. Still a little doubt about his stamina, but he remains open to improvement.

Betavix is a very lightly raced individual, but is probably a little unfortunate not to be unbeaten in his two pointing starts. An initial win at Kingston Blount, looked to being supplemented until a last fence mistake cost him dear at Kimble; despite a game late rally he was just denied. Glenteviot is another whose appearances have been limited, but she landed a gamble when scoring at Tabley last season and this half-sister to useful Pointer Border Fusion is one for serious consideration.

Hall Kelly could represent the powerful Rucker yard. He was given a peach of a ride by Richard Burton to hit the front two out at Ampton, but was unable to resist he late run of Jolly Dancer and the rallying Elite Beneficial. It's interesting to note that he was placed on his Irish pointing debut on firm ground; so quick ground may not deter connections (has Thorpe entry). Pingpong came home an easy winner of a Higham Maiden on only his second ever start. On a strict interpretation of race times he has a bit to find with the horse that ran in the Restricted that day; that said, he can only improve and the Kemp's are not regular visitors here. Vote For Doodle scored at Ampton (third has won since); he followed that up with a better effort in this grade at Charing when he was well clear of the third. This track doesn't have as much emphasis on stamina as Ampton and Charing, but he looks a big player here.
Selection: Hall Kelly (Vote For Doodle)

2.55 p.m. Open Maiden - 27 Entries
A healthy Entry of 27 for this3m Maiden and with the safety factor being 18 there is still a chance of a division on the day. Alforone was second on his final run last season at Easingwold beaten four lengths by Darren. He fell on his seasonal debut at Sheriff Hutton last month when still in touch and must have a chance here if none the worse for that experience, but also holds an entry in the youngsters Maiden.

Free Speech was placed second and third last year in Chases on his final two outings for Sarah Humphrey. He was second on his pointing debut at Higham for Caroline Fryer when beaten 12 lengths by Firmount Beech. Shernahall was third beaten a further 12 lengths in that race so is unlikely to reverse placings with Free Speech. Salsero was fifth in the race, three lengths adrift of Shernahall but had run well in a Ladies race here when fourth to Kicks For Free beaten 15½ lengths; he seems to go better at this course so could get placed.

Dalmatian was disputing second when falling two out at Higham in the race won by Pingpong, another who could get placed if over that experience. Rockfield was placed second on his final three starts last season including in his Members at Fakenham beaten a short head by Made Welcome; he needed a couple of runs last season to hit peak fitness so may best be watched on his seasonal debut. Fort Severn was placed four times under Rules from Brendan Powell's yard, the last of them when third at Huntingdon in April last year beaten 15½ lengths by Lord Gunnerslake in a chase. Grand Article was placed six times under Rules and on his final run for trainer Paul Cowley he was third at Fakenham beaten 11 lengths by Ashmolian in a Hurdle. Saint Peray was placed twice from seven outings in France when with Francois Doumen including a fourth at Fontainebleau beaten eight lengths in a Hurdle by Spiv in March 2010.

Strong Survivor has been placed six times on the flat and over jumps but hasn't run for almost 2½ years. A tricky contest to call, Alforone should improve but we can't be sure he'll run in this as he has an Entry in the 2m4f  also so we'll side with Free Speech from Caroline Fryer's yard who are going well and Grand Article's third at Fakenham last year makes him our second choice.
Selection: Free Speech (Grand Article)

3.30 p.m. Open Maiden 4, 5, 6 & 7yr old - 24 Entries
A small chance of division in the second of the Maiden races; this time the shorter 2m4f race for 4, 5, 6 and 7-year-olds, with 24 Entries and a safety factor of 16. Elvis The King improved markedly on his Ampton debut when third at Higham; he was very green at Ampton when pulled up but ran with great promise behind Pingpong on his second start. Another with placed form this season is Sum Say So who was fourth at Charing.

Katepast will always be noted as being a half-brother to the high-class Katarino, however he should be capable of winning at least a Maiden after showing ability to be third at Garthorpe on his final start in 2010, beaten only half a length and like many Turner horses he will have benefited from his first run of the season at Higham.

George Cooper is very successful with his homebreds and he has two entered here, although he may be unlikely to run both. Hasty Ruler is a half-sister to talented pointers Monarch Ruler and Iceni Ruler. Midnight Ruler is a half-sister to well regarded Mambo Ruler and recent Ampton placed Foulstons Ruler. If either is as talented as their siblings they may go close and would be worth a look, especially if there is money for them with the bookmakers.

Alforone has shown form when second on his last start in 2010 at Easingwold, beaten four lengths by a 50-1 winner and will surely be worth consideration. Secret Psalter was well beaten on her only start last season at Whitfield; however she  could be in the frame if she has strengthened and matured since that run.
Selection: Alforone (Elvis The King)

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